Todd Kessler now ‘person of interest’ in missing person case

Lancaster County Sheriff Ronald D. Crockett reported that James T. “Todd” Kessler, 53 of Cox’s Farm Road, is now considered “a person of interest” in the disappearance of Claudine J. Gifford, 44 of Burgess, authorities said Monday.

Gifford was last seen in the early evening of Sunday, July 6 at Windmill Point.

The Sheriff’s office reported that specifics of the investigation are not being released that led to Kessler’s recent consideration as “a person of interest” in the case.

According to Lt. E.T. Self, lead investigator in the case, it was information obtained from Kessler that led to the July 15 interest to speak to four white males, who were reported to have assisted Gifford into a silver Nissan SUV on July 7.

Kessler was arrested on July 19 for aggravated malicious wounding and assault and battery in relation to an alleged incident at Pelican Point Restaurant’s tiki bar at Windmill Point Marina.